endoscopy - sedation or not?

[LilacRos]

Booked in next week under 2ww. I'm not particulary nervous of medical procedures but happy to make it easier. However I'm just concerned that if I am sedated I won't be alert enough to understand what is said to me afterwards. They said they would discuss findings after although obv if there is a biopsy they won't have the result of that.

I would never have another without sedation. I wouldn't worry about not understanding things. The sedation is very light (well, to me it's always felt that way) and they'll come out and explain things to you afterwards when there's been a chance for it to wear off. They'll also give you something in writing. Good luck OP

I’ve never had without but with was fine and I was quite anxious about it and worried and I got sedation, (was also having a colonoscopy) and a throat spray to numb things and it was the better part of it all tbh

hope it goes well op take care

I'll never forget having my first one and saying that I wouldn't need sedation. They barely got the tube in my mouth and I couldn't do it. The doctor said, nope, sorry. You'll need to be sedated. And it was weird and not particularly nice but I was fine afterwards.

Same here, began to choke as soon as it began. I wasn't in the least afraid, I just couldn't cope with the gag reflex. Was told, never to try without sedation again.

I had one without a sedative and I was glad I did as I was aware of everything that was going on and able to drive myself home afterwards. Have a google about how to make it easier to swallow etc without a sedative. It really wasn't too bad. The build up and thoughts about it were worse. I researched beforehand and found some helpful advice to get me through it. Good luck.

I had a failed one without and was also told to always have it, they have me so much I was proper out. Within 5 mins of it finishing I was fully alert and remember everything they told me, it does wear off very quickly.

Yes, have sedation, I would rather have another baby than have another endoscopy.

Have sedation and in fact ask for double sedation (two drugs rather than one given in the same shot).

I had this for my first endoscopy and it was brilliant, I knew nothing. So I breezed into my second enodscopy, and that time they used just 1 sedative - and it was bloody awful, I was conscious throughout and it really hurt.

Don't worry about not remembering things afterwards. If you have sedation you will have to stay for about an hour post-procedure, by which time you will be fully with it again, and they shouldn't try to tell you anything before then. They might well be able to give you a print out of your results to take home as well.

This was me a few months ago. I was so alarmed by all the negative responses I found on mumsnet I really did doubt myself. But I read a few "it was fine" comments and decided to give it a go as I couldn't get anyone to come with me and I needed to go back to work after.

It was fine. It wasn't pleasant, I was definitely ready for it to be over a couple of minutes before it was (and those minutes lasted aaaages), but I did find it manageable. I did lots of calm breathing.

I was pleased I could just leave. I couldn't go back to work after though, I think the effort of staying calm wiped me out.

Good luck!

Yes definitely sedation.

Right, sedation it is then. I'll get DH to take me.
What sort of feedback / how much detail did people get? Was it from a nurse or a doctor?

Definitely sedation - awful without and I speak from experience of both. With sedation you are more relaxed and get a better result. And they wait until you’re recovered before you get the result, which they follow up in writing. Best of luck, I’m sure you’ll be fine. Please come back and let us know how you are.

I had one 6 weeks ago with sedation but honestly I remember it all and was definitely gagging so not sure how much it helps. It was very quick and not all that bad tbh but maybe I was more relaxed than I realised! Either way the worry about it was far worse than the procedure. I was in and out in 3 minutes!

Mine was negative. They told me there was no sign of the cancer they'd been checking for, confirmed the presence of a hiatus hernia (which I've had for half a lifetime) and some inflammation in my tummy and the bit of bowel at the other end of my tummy. They gave me a brief hand-written report which presumably came from the doctor who performed the procedure. A nurse came to give me the results.

Unfortunately I've had a lot of these over the years and have come to really fear them as the sedation didn't do anything for me. The easiest I've had recently was performed by a nurse specialist and his team. They were willing to listen when I explained that I was very nervous and they gave me two drugs. It was the first time that I ever felt at all woozy, and it was less frightening. (It's the swallowing of the scope part that I find the worst.)

@SaltyCrisps thanks. I'm hoping they can rule it out.
I wasn't worried until I saw GP as I think it's most likely an ulcer. However I have had breast cancer. When I found a lump I skipped along to the appointment fully expecting to be told I was wasting their time, only to be told it was almost certainly cancer.
I'm not particulary nervous about the procedure, but I will accept the sedation because I want it to be done successfully.

I think that’s sensible. I refused sedation first time round and they had to abandon the procedure as I was too distressed. I think the sedation worried me more than the actual procedure. The doctor explained that with sedation the examination itself is not only easier for the patient, but yields better results as they can be more thorough if the patient is comfortable. They sedated me and second attempt was fine. The sedation was fine too - although I had to have someone to pick me up afterwards as I couldn’t drive. There was also gas and air available if any part of the exam was tricky, although I didn’t need it.

In terms of the actual results, I got mine on the day. After the procedure, you’re taken into recovery for a couple of hours and given a cup of tea, so you’re fully aware and able to understand what’s said. A nurse took me through the results and I was given paperwork to indicate where small problems were found and samples taken for biopsy. They explained that I would be contacted via GP with the biopsy results in a couple of weeks. All turned out fine, and hopefully will be the same for you. Good luck.

Hi, I had one last week with both Fentanyl and Midazolam.

Can’t remember a thing after they put the mouth guard in, and hardly remember anything until I got home.

I would definitely have the sedation if you are anxious.

hardly remember anything until I got home.
That was the main reason for my question, will I be too dopey afterwards. I'm not anxious, I want to be able to hear and understand the results and ask questions but I believe the procedure is more successful with a sedated patient.

I’ll be honest that I couldn’t remember any of what they told me afterwards about results. I just looked at the print out and awaiting biopsy results.

I had one 2 weeks ago and I was very brave ( if I do say so) and just had the spray. ( I’ve recently been in hospital and have had so many cannulas put in I couldn’t face another, plus I didn’t want to ruin the weekend with the kids.
however if I was to have another endoscopy I would go with sedation as they’re horrible. I had my eyes shut and a lovely lady stood behind me who’s hand I was clamping on. They did manage to do what they needed but it was not nice.
take care love xx

When I had an endoscopy 2 years ago it was done via my nose rather than mouth. I had no sedation and my throat was numbed. Advantage of going via nose there was no gagging reflex - I have a very strong gagging reflex normally.

Sedation of course and they give you a discharge summary as well as talk to you.

I didn't have sedation it was fine.

It's really not that bad. It's not pleasant but it takes miniutes and you are out straight out after.

It really annoys me how you can freely ask to be sedated for this painless
, quick but unpleasant thing but god forbid you request an epidural for birth which actually hurts and can last days! Birthing women are just told to breath it out!

Absolutely! I had one in December and they’re following it up in a couple of weeks. Had a joke w my consultant and said ‘same dose please!’ As I I don’t remember it at all. I have a strong gag reflex so was particularly concerned about it.
I’ve had a camera up the other end too and I was sedated but aware, I’d much rather have that with light sedation than an endoscopy without any.